Davandai (original) (raw)

Davandai is an ancient percussion instrument played during the rituals in some South Indian temples, most famously the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai.It is usually accompanied with Nagaswaram and it is used instead of Tavil Davandai is also known by other names – Echarikai in Kumbakonam and Veeravandi in Srirangam. There are special temple rituals during which the Davandai is usually played. It is usually played as an accompaniment to the Nadaswaram in place of the traditional Thavil. In some temples, Davandai announces the “Swami Porappadu”, the onset of a procession of the temple idol.